Tapes of 911 calls depict a difficult Memorial Day along the lakefront for police, including what they say were “incidents” at Oak Street Beach, but they insist the disturbances had nothing to do with their closing of nearby North Avenue Beach. The 911 tapes from North Avenue Beach released to the Tribune by Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications include reports of stolen bikes, dehydrated patrons and people walking in traffic on North Avenue and Lake Shore...

Tapes of 911 calls depict a difficult Memorial Day along the lakefront for police, including what they say were “incidents” at Oak Street Beach, but they insist the disturbances had nothing to do with their closing of nearby North Avenue Beach. The 911 tapes from North Avenue Beach released to the Tribune by Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications include reports of stolen bikes, dehydrated patrons and people walking in traffic on North Avenue and Lake Shore...

The Stars and Stripes will fly high and right side up on Memorial Day at St. Sabina Roman Catholic Church. Rev. Michael Pfleger has agreed to flip his upside down flag for one day in honor of American soldiers who lost their lives serving their nation. But when the sun sets on Monday, the inverted flag will go up again in memory of the young people who have lost their lives to gun violence. Read more in The Seeker blog on chicagotribune.com .

Twins Dan ( left ) and David O'Donnell look over a Civil War monument at St. Boniface Cemetery on the North Side today. (Tribune / Chris Walker) MORE PHOTOS Twins David and Dan O'Donnell have never agreed on the value of war. David O'Donnell fought in Vietnam. Dan O'Donnell objected and opted out by securing a teaching deferment. But every Memorial Day, the 63-year-old brothers set those differences aside and trek to St. Boniface Cemetery on the North Side...

At least 10 people were hospitalized for heat-related ailments and officials closed North Avenue Beach in Chicago as temperatures reached into the high 80s on an unseasonably warm and humid Memorial Day, officials said. At about 5:40 p.m., Chicago Fire Department paramedics were called to North Avenue Beach after several people reported heat-related health issues, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. Firefighters took four people to area hospitals where one...

One by one, family members of Illinois service men and women stepped from the quiet crowd on Daley Plaza this morning. Some cried as the name of their deceased loved one was read. Some clutched the hands of small children while accepting flags bearing yellow stars to commemorate to commemorate those they lost. Others were grandparents who needed assistance to walk the few steps to get that flag along with hugs from Gen. Raymond Odierno and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. In all, 23...

The Chicago Park District is taking steps to open as many as five of its beaches to surfboarding, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting . Vince Deur, who founded the Surfrider Foundation's Lake Michigan chapter in 2007, said supporters met Tuesday with Park District Supt. Timothy Mitchell, who agreed the district would begin taking steps to allow surfing at four beaches between this Labor Day and Memorial Day. The surfing group and the Park District are also looking into allowing...

A band of showers moved toward the Chicago this afternoon, with more rain and potential scattered thunderstorms expected overnight into Sunday. The showers are part of a warm front slowly moving up from southern Illinois, which also will bring summer-like heat and humidity into the area by Memorial Day. For the latest radar, conditions and forecasts go to the Chicago Weather Center. chicagobreaking@tribune.com

President Barack Obama heads out of Chicago today for Louisiana. Obama, interrupting a Memorial Day weekend trip to his Chicago home, plans to visit a beach set-up with protective booms alongside Adm. Thad Allen, who is overseeing the spill response. (William DeShazer/Chicago Tribune) President Barack Obama was back in Chicago this evening after a day in Louisiana viewing the Gulf oil spill damage and containment efforts first-hand. Air Force One left O'Hare...

Monday is Memorial Day. The following services will be affected: Schools: Public schools in Chicago will be closed. Most suburban and parochial schools also will be closed. Check local districts. Government offices: Closed. Postal service: No mail service except Express Mail. Courts: Federal, state and county courts will be closed. Cook County Central Bond Court will be open. Banks: Major banks will be closed.

One by one, family members of Illinois service men and women stepped from the quiet crowd on Daley Plaza this morning. Some cried as the name of their deceased loved one was read. Some clutched the hands of small children while accepting flags bearing yellow stars to commemorate to commemorate those they lost. Others were grandparents who needed assistance to walk the few steps to get that flag along with hugs from Gen. Raymond Odierno and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. In all, 23 names echoed...

A band of showers moved toward the Chicago this afternoon, with more rain and potential scattered thunderstorms expected overnight into Sunday. The showers are part of a warm front slowly moving up from southern Illinois, which also will bring summer-like heat and humidity into the area by Memorial Day. For the latest radar, conditions and forecasts go to the Chicago Weather Center. chicagobreaking@tribune.com

President Barack Obama begins his Memorial Day address at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in the rain. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune) President Barack Obama's Memorial Day address at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood was just getting started today when lightning and heavy, gusting rains forced the cancellation of the proceedings. Tonight, the president delivered his address at Andrews Air Force Base before returning to the White House.

The thunder, lightning and occasional hailstorms that moved through the Chicago-area around noon today spoiled a Memorial Day that started off with sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. Besides resulting in the cancellation of President Barack Obama's Memorial Day address at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in southwest suburban Elwood, the weather also forced delays of up to an hour at both O'Hare International Airport and Midway Airport, according to the Chicago Department of...

Monday is Memorial Day. The following services will be affected: Schools: Public schools in Chicago will be closed. Most suburban and parochial schools also will be closed. Check local districts. Government offices: Closed. Postal service: No mail service except Express Mail. Courts: Federal, state and county courts will be closed. Cook County Central Bond Court will be open. Banks: Major banks will be closed.

President Barack Obama heads out of Chicago today for Louisiana. Obama, interrupting a Memorial Day weekend trip to his Chicago home, plans to visit a beach set-up with protective booms alongside Adm. Thad Allen, who is overseeing the spill response. (William DeShazer/Chicago Tribune) President Barack Obama was back in Chicago this evening after a day in Louisiana viewing the Gulf oil spill damage and containment efforts first-hand. Air Force One left O'Hare International...

The thunder, lightning and occasional hailstorms that moved through the Chicago-area around noon today spoiled a Memorial Day that started off with sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. Besides resulting in the cancellation of President Barack Obama's Memorial Day address at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in southwest suburban Elwood, the weather also forced delays of up to an hour at both O'Hare International Airport and Midway Airport, according to the Chicago Department of...

At least 10 people were hospitalized for heat-related ailments and officials closed North Avenue Beach in Chicago as temperatures reached into the high 80s on an unseasonably warm and humid Memorial Day, officials said. At about 5:40 p.m., Chicago Fire Department paramedics were called to North Avenue Beach after several people reported heat-related health issues, said Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. Firefighters took four people to area hospitals where one...

Twins Dan ( left ) and David O'Donnell look over a Civil War monument at St. Boniface Cemetery on the North Side today. (Tribune / Chris Walker) MORE PHOTOS Twins David and Dan O'Donnell have never agreed on the value of war. David O'Donnell fought in Vietnam. Dan O'Donnell objected and opted out by securing a teaching deferment. But every Memorial Day, the 63-year-old brothers set those differences aside and trek to St. Boniface Cemetery on the North Side...

The Stars and Stripes will fly high and right side up on Memorial Day at St. Sabina Roman Catholic Church. Rev. Michael Pfleger has agreed to flip his upside down flag for one day in honor of American soldiers who lost their lives serving their nation. But when the sun sets on Monday, the inverted flag will go up again in memory of the young people who have lost their lives to gun violence. Read more in The Seeker blog on chicagotribune.com .